Legion expected to make Illini debut Saturday

His teammates have nicknamed him "Kobe."

"Because he can score in bunches," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said.

His coaches have tried to teach him how to throw passes and play defense.

"When he first got here, I'm not sure he knew what a pass (and) what an assist was," Weber joked.

His fans thought originally he'd have to save Illinois' season. Now, with the Illini off to a 9-1 start, he needs only to enhance it.

Welcome to the long-awaited Alex Legion era.

Twelve months after the highly touted sophomore guard announced his transfer from Kentucky, the 2007 Parade magazine All-American gets to make his Illini debut Saturday against Detroit at the Assembly Hall.

Probably.

Legion takes his last semester exam today. If all of his professors hustle to post his grades - as Illinois coaches and academic support folk have tried to ensure - the 6-foot-5 Detroit native gets to don his No. 33 jersey.

Otherwise, he will have to wait until the Braggin' Rights game with Missouri on Tuesday.

"It's kind of like my freshman year," Legion said. "I've only played six collegiate games, so I'll have some nerves. - After sitting out a year, I don't care if I play 10 or two minutes. I just want to get out there and play and help the team."

Since the Illini have gotten off to such a good start - and played unselfishly to boot - Weber is curious to see how Legion affects the mix.

Weber doesn't plan to change his lineup. He doesn't expect a drastic change to his substitution patterns.

"I want to give him a little extra time if I can, because (the other players) already got a lot of minutes," Weber said. "But he's like everyone else. He's got to earn his minutes.

"Obviously he's a good player. He can make shots. He's going to help us."

Illinois fans hope Weber understates Legion's potential influence on the team.

People expect plenty from the Top 50 recruit since he shot 42 percent on 3-pointers and 85 percent at the line during his senior year at prep powerhouse Oak Hill Academy.

"If the fans have high expectations, I appreciate it," Legion said. "But I'm not here to be a savior or anything, just to be part of the team like everyone else."

• With five scholarships at its disposal - and several nationally ranked high school sophomores playing in the Chicago area - Illinois has been eager to wrap up its first Class of 2011 recruit.

Mount Carmel point guard Tracy Abrams stepped forward Thursday and committed to the Illini.

As a freshman, the athletic 6-1 Abrams directed the Caravan to the Class 4A supersectionals.

"I didn't want another point guard to commit before I do," Abrams said. "They're like a family; they're together. All of their coaches were showing me love."

Abrams is considered the linchpin of the tight-knit sophomore group that includes De La Salle forward Mike Shaw and Curie forward Wayne Blackshear.